Novelty and amusement device



May 26 1959 A. M. ZALKIND NOVELTY AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE Filed Feb. 18. 1957 EFMF I I.

INVENTOR.

States Patent 2,887,818 NOVELTY AND AMUSEMENT DEVICE Albert M. Zalkind, Arlington, Va. 2 Application February 18, 1957, Serial No. 640,947

11 Claims. (Cl. 46-1) This invention relates to novelty and amusement' devices which are mechanically actuated for simulating the function of human organs or parts of the human body.

It is an object of my invention to provide a mechanically actuated element in the shape of a heart for' the purpose of simulating vigorous heart beating.

It is another object of my invention to provide a construction which may be easily and economically manufactured and rugged in operation. Briefly, myinvention comprises a heart-shaped element to which is secured a clockwork escapement motor mechanism and means for supporting the combination so as to adapt it to be exhibited in various ways. I

A detailed description of my invention now follows in conjunction with the appended drawing in which:

Fig. 1 is a front view of a heart and a mounting card;

Fig. 2 is a section through 2 -2 of Fig. 1;

Fig. 2a shows a modification of a means for supporting the device; wherein the heart substantially encloses the motor. A

Fig. 3 is a rear view of the form shown in Fig. 1;

Fig. 4 is a cross-section view showing the deviceplaced in a container having a cover which keeps the mechanism in an inoperative condition until the cover is lifted;

Fig. 5 is an end view partially broken to show the device placed within a simulated book;

Fig. 6 isan elevation partially in section showing, the device applied to a bouquet of flowers; and

Fig. 7 is a view showing the position of the-device when worn by a person.

Fig. 8 shows a modification of the heart and motor combination; wherein the heart rotates as it oscillates.

Referring now to Figs. 1, 2, and 3, the invention comprises a heart element 10 of generally shell-like configuration which may be molded of plastic and which is secured to the framework 12 of an escapement clockwork motor mechanism 14 of a type shown in Goldfarb Patent No. 2,504,679. The details of the motor are fully explained in the aforementioned patent and need not be described here save to say that upon being wound by a key 18, the framework 12 is vigorously rocked to and fro as indicated by the doubleheaded arrow of Fig. 2, a support bracket 22 being stationary.

The motor frame may be secured to the heart in any suitable manner, one method being indicated in Fig. 2, by bending the ends 26 of the frame sides, a piece of cardboard or fabric 30 through which the frame sides pass being cemented to the interior surface of the heart 10. The support bracket 22 is suitably clinched to a support member 34 by the bentover tabs 38 which will be understood to be formed integrally with bracket 22. The key 18 is accessible through an aperture 40 in the support plate 34 for winding the motor. When the motor is wound and the heart released, it oscillates to simulate the beating of a heart, the range of oscillation being as shown in the dash lines of Fig. 2, and the pivotal axis being the oscillatory axis 44 of bracket 22. It will, of course, be understood that the support element 34 is maintained I 2,887,818 Patented May 26, 195.9

relatively stationary while the heart is oscillating. The efiect is amusing in the extreme and the action so vigorous.

and rapid as to actually create the illusion that a wildly beating heart is being viewed, the rhythmic motor noise adding to the effect. 7

A pocket clip 48 may be attached as shown in Figs. 2

and 3 to the support plate 34 for a purpose to be herein-- after pointed out. The combination described above may be utilized in a large variety of ways for amusement or sentimental purposes, it being apparent that after the motor is wound, any means whatsoever may be utilized to. keep .the heart from oscillating, and that when such means is removed, the heart will commence to beat,

As shown in Fig. 2a, the support plate 34 may be eliminated, the support bracket 22 being fastened. directly to a pocket clip 48.

As shown in Fig. 4, the device may-be placed in a box 50 having a lid 54 which concealsthe heart and at the same time precludes oscillation of the heart. However, when the lid is raised tothe position shown in dash lines, the heart beat action is released, producing a;very

pleasant surprise on the part of the person who has re-' ceived the unit as a Valentine gift. Obviously, suitable legends may be provided on the box lid such as ToMy Valentine, My Heart Boats For You, etc., ad infinitum.

Attention is now invited .to Fig. 5,.showing a simulated :book 58 which,v as is well known to people in the novelty trade comprises an. actual book, the leaves of which have been. cut to form a large opening so that the heart from oscillating until the cover is swungout.

The heart then, of course, commences beating. The book. .may be appropriately entitled, The Case ofthel-Ieart Beat Murder, etc.

In Fig. 6, the device is shown applied to a bouquet of I flowers. Thus, the support plate 34 will be readily under stood to be fastened by the clip 48 to a band of paper-or light cardboard 66 which encircles the bouquet. The

usual paper wrapper 70 in which bouquets arenormally wrapped maybe relied on. to hold the heart: stationary;

When the wrapper 70 is removed, the heart commences beating.

In the mode of use shown in Fig. 7, the support plate 34 may be partially inserted in a breast pocket 74 of a persons shirt. If the pocket be too narrow, then the structure of Fig. 2a will be understood to be used for the purpose of fastening the device to the pocket edge in a well known manner. The jacket 78 of the wearer, overlaying the heart 10, keeps it from operating. When, however, the jacket is opened and swung away from the heart, thus revealing the heart, a beating action commences.

In Fig. 8, the heart 10 and motor 14 are shown carried by bracket 22, the bracket 22 having a clip such as 48" for holding it in place, on a pocket edge, the clip serving as a winding key and being secured to the end of the Winding shaft. In such case, the heart and frame will revolve as it beats. This is due to the fact that the winding shaft rotates as the spring of the motor unwinds.

The heart could, of course, be shaped to substantially I I claim:

1. In an amusement device, a heart shaped element, a clockwork mechanism motor comprising an escapement mechanism, and a frame member supporting said motor, said escapement mechanism having an escapement member mounted for relative oscillation relative said frame member, a relatively stationary support attached to one of said members whereby the other of said members may oscillate relative thereto, said heart element being Wholly and integrally movable and carried by said other member for rocking movement in and out of a predetermined plane, whereby motion of said heart element efiected by said other member simulates the beating of a heart.

2. In a device as set forth in claim 1, said support comprising a card, an aperture in said card, said motor having a winding shaft generally registering with said aperture and accessible therethrough for winding said motor.

3. A device as set forth in claim 1, including means for engaging said heart element to prevent beating. motion, said means likewise concealing said heart element, manual movement of said means rendering said heart element visible and permitting beating thereof to occur.

4. A device as set forth in claim 1, including means for engaging said heart element to prevent beating motion, said means likewise concealing said heart element, manual movement of said means rendering said heart element visible and permitting beating thereof to occur, said support comprising a card, an aperture in said card, said motor having a winding shaft generally registering with said aperture and accessible for winding said motor.

5. In a device as set forth in claim 1, said other member being said frame member, and said support being secured to said escapement member and comprising a clip.

6. In a device as set forth in claim 1, said heart element being generally shell shaped and having a rim extending toward said motor and substantially concealing said motor.

7. In a device as set forth in claim 1, including means for concealing said heart, said means being engageable with said heart while concealing it, to effect stoppage of said motor, said means completely surrounding said motor and said heart element.

a 8. In an amusement device, a heart shaped element, a motor comprising a frame member and an oscillatory member connected to said motor for oscillation thereby, whereby said members having rocking motion with respect 4 to each other, one of said members being connected to a support means and the other of said members being coupled to said heart element for rocking said heart element in and out of a predetermined plane to simulate a beating heart.

9. In an amusement device as set forth in claim 8, said heart element being carried by said other member and being sufficiently large in area so as to conceal said motor.

10. In a device as set forth in claim 8, including manually movable means for concealing said heart element or exposing it at will and means for effecting stoppage of said motor by said manually movable means when said manually movable means is moved to conceal said heart element.

11. In an amusement device, a heart shaped element, a clockwork mechanism motor comprising an escapement mechanism, and a frame member supporting said motor, said escapement mechanism having an escapement member mounted for relative oscillation relative said frame member, a relatively stationary support attached to one of said members whereby the other of said members may oscillate relative thereto, said heart element being wholly and integrally movable and carried by said other member for rocking movement in and out of a predetermined plane, whereby motion of said heart element effected by said other member simulates the beating of a heart, said motor having a winding shaft which rotates as the motor unwinds, said support being secured to said winding shaft, said heart element being supported by said escapement member so that said frame member and said heart element revolve as the motor unwinds, said one member being said frame member and being thus connected to said support by means of said rotative winding shaft.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 591,827 Drew Oct. 19, 1897 954,031 Kellogg Apr. 5, 1910 1,571,381 Sherman Feb. 2, 1926 1,763,467 Klinker June 10, 1930 2,183,777 Schwartz Dec. 19, 1939 2,504,679 Goldfarb Apr. 18, 1950 2,546,680 Samuels Mar. 27, 1951 2,667,350 Wilson Jan. 26, 1954 2,669,063 Lang Feb. 16, 1954 2,757,480 Uchill Aug. 7, 1956 

